New Device Allows Disabled Children To Communicate With Others

Scottish scientists have come up with an innovative technology that enables children with communication problems to hold conversations easily, it has been revealed.

The new software system of its own kind, dubbed as “How was school today?”, has been tailored to help kids with communication disabilities, such cerebral palsy, to communicate better and in a more interactive manner with their parents and carers.

Devised by a group of scientists from Dundee and Aberdeen universities, in conjunction with the charity Capability Scotland, the system includes sensors, swipe cards, and recording devices attached to wheel chairs, with all these devices collect information about the kid's experiences at school.

The information so gathered is subsequently transformed into a narrative by a computer, which conveys the story in natural languages to parents when the kid returns home.

Dr Ehud Reiter, from Aberdeen University's natural and computing sciences, and one of the project leader, said in a statement, “A lot of children can be very limited to using 'yes' or 'no', or very simple pictures, or phrases such as 'I'm hungry'. This allows them much richer conversations, which is great for them and for their parents”.

The software system has already been trialled successfully by the students at Corseford School in Renfrewshire.

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